See Part 1 here.
I had a loving husband, a beautiful baby girl, and a spacious house, but I was miserable. I longed to be able to spend my days at home taking care of my baby instead of driving away from her every day to teach 4th grade.
My husband knew how it pained me to be missing my baby, and he scrawled out budget after budget, figuring and calculating over and over again. Each time, though, we met the same harsh reality. There was just no way, no matter how much we slashed expenses, we could afford to make it on just one income.
I taught that entire school year, pumping my breast milk during my breaks so MaddieLynn would still have all the benefits that had to offer. As time went on, my husband and I only felt more certain that I needed to be at home, but how?
At that time, we were studying about the faith of Abraham and how he left his homeland to go wherever God would lead him. We saw that his faith prompted him to leave his home without knowing where he was going or what would happen next. We wondered where the line was between faith and irresponsible behavior.
After much prayer and study, we decided that we would take a GIANT leap of faith. I turned in my resignation to my principal. We had no idea what we would do next, but we knew that we were headed in the right direction.
My principal begged me to reconsider, but I was firmly set in my decision. Nevertheless, he said he hoped I would change my mind. The next week, I found out I was pregnant. We were thrilled and our friends were baffled. Everyone thought we were crazy! My principal said my job was still available, but there was no turning back in my mind. We were on a journey of faith.
We sold our house and my husband was offered a new job all within one week’s time. The Lord worked in many wonderful and surprising ways during those days and we never went hungry or homeless.
That was the end of my career as a public school teacher and now I spend my days teaching my own children at home.
This is where we live now. In this house, we have brought home 3 new babies, fed and lodged drug addicts, convicted felons, one complete stranger who needed food and rest while she was on her way to visit her son in prison, and many friends and relatives.
It’s the most beautiful home I have ever known.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Very beautiful! I never realized you worked when Maddie was a baby. Staying at home is definitely the best decision I ever made as well. Isn’t it amazing how God provides for us when we put our faith in Him. Soph asked me the other day if we would have more money if I worked and I said “Yes we would.” She said, “But we wouldn’t be richer would we?”
Your family is a wonderful testament of God’s love…and we miss you!!
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Thank you for sharing.
80)
Mary Beth
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i was also a teacher when i was pregnant with my first one. we had decided that i would stay home with our baby and i was feeling a little guilty about leaving my students mid-year and not coming back. however, a very wise coach at my school told me, “God will bless you for that decision.” and He has. i try to remember to share those words with young moms that i talk to now.
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I love your story and how everything turned out wonderfully!
When I was pregnant with #1, my plan was to take as much leave as possible after birth, and then trade off babysitting, and still work. But luckily, I was forced to quit at 7 months pregnant. I was so blessed. I cannot imagine having to leave my babies every day.
Following Heavenly Father’s plan has really made us prioritize better and be grateful and happy for the simple blessings we have.
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Lovely story.
-Christine from Arizona
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What a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness. Our house isn’t the biggest or the most beautifully decorated and we certainly don’t drive a very nice van, but God has been so good to us. Being a wife and momma are the best jobs in the world!:)
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Very inspiring story…thanks for sharing. I have been lucky to stay home since my daughter was born, and I am so thankful. Tanya
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What a wonderful, touching story. Our house is small, but it’s home and allows me to stay here with the kids.
Blessed by God!
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Thank you for sharing such a great story. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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What a lovely home! Thanks for sharing your story. We made a similar decision when we had our first (16 years ago) and things have been tight at times but I wouldn’t have missed ONE day of being home with my 5 kids.
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Yes – beautiful home, beautiful family, Connie. You all made the RIGHT choice, and I’m so thankful that God has provided for you. I know that your obedience to His call pleases Him.
((hugs))
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. May God continue to reward and bless you as you faithfully follow Him.
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Oh I’ve been there–wondering about the difference between faith and irresponsiblility.
You likened it to Abraham–I likened it to the Israelites standing at the Red Sea with Pharoah’s army fast approaching–because I coudn’t see ANY WAY possible out of our situation.
But God did.
Thanks for sharing your story.
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That was a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing.
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wow! this brought tears to my eyes!
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Thanks for sharing your story. I really enjoyed reading it. I stay home full time with my almost-1 year old girl, and definitely wouldn’t change it for the world. I worked full time for my dad (who bought a business around the time I got married) from my second trimester until Katie was born. We had solidified in our minds that no way would I work after she was born. When the time came to give up the 40 hour/week job, it was tough to have our income cut in half, but leaving my baby with someone else would’ve been MUCH tougher! I often say that I’d rather live in a one room shack than have to leave my daughter behind. And it’s true! And, God has been so faithful to provide for all our needs even when things don’t quite work out on paper.
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I’m bookmarking you, honey. Loved this testimony.
We lived in a tiny, little house and my husband had a giant income of 31K when we decided that I would stay home with our baby-to-be.
It was a huge leap of faith, and has meant many sacrifices along the way.
I also love the photo of the home that is now so sweet to you.
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I stumbled across this 2 part story about a month ago. When I finished reading it I sat at my computer and sobbed, really sobbed. Since then I have retold your story (and how I relate) to several people and cry every time. I’m not crying for you (lol) but for me. You have no idea how God used this story to change my perspective. We are in about 800 sq ft, 3 kids and I so often found myself whining on the inside about it. I never wanted to tell my husband how I felt because I know how hard he works to provide what we do have. I am blessed to be home, also a former teacher. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story and let you know that your story and testimony have now had a profound impact on my heart and life. Thank you.
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I just commented on your story of your large family, but this post hit home for me even more. We are in a very similar place right now–figuring out how to step out and follow in faith without being reckless.
My husband just received a VERY direct call from God into full time ministry (from his place in grad school for BioPhysics) and we have NO idea where we’ll be next year or how we’ll pay the bills. I have always wanted to be a wife and mom–not a career woman–for all the reasons you wrote about. But now, as it’s so close to actually happening I’m experiencing feelings that must only be from Satan, tempting me to believe the lies of the world…that I should have to work because all of the women I know I have work, or that if those other women can be wives and moms AND work full time then gosh darn it I should be able to handle that too. But God keeps reminding me of the plan He has. It will be for our good so that we can minister more effectively as a couple. Thanks for your prayers.
In Christ,
Melanie
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This made me cry. I am so inspired by this post. Although I am able to stay home with our four children, I run a registered daycare from our house and I long for the flexibility to attend school events, pick up my kids from school and just enjoy my own children. We have some praying to do!
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I love this! We are working through this RIGHT now. My Hubby has had the need to hold on to the house while I want to be home. God works wonders… We just found that we’ll need to move asap due to mold & asbestos. Yikes! Thank you lord for prompting me to read this today as Connie’s words are exactly what I need!
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I’m totally crying. As I wrote in the other comment I just left, I hate working and leaving my daughter at day care. Just like you, my husband and I have gone over and over the numbers and we can’t afford to live on his salary.
We learned that I was unexpectedly pregnant a few months ago. Two days later, we learned that our day care was increasing the rates by $60 a week. A week! We’ll be paying $2000 a month for both of our kids to go to day care. That’s a pill that I can not swallow, especially since I hate leaving her every day anyway.
We already live in a fairly small house, but I’m willing to turn off the satellite dish and get rid of stuff. My husband is very reluctant, but has agreed to look for another job. I pray that he’ll be able to find one before I go on maternity leave in December.
Say a prayer for me if you think about it.
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